KOCHI: Lush green rain forests, meandering, crystal clear and sparkling streams. Birds singing to their heart’s content. The fresh sweet smelling air. These are the things that every human desires and these are the very thing that those living in the cities find it difficult to get. These are the very things that Echo Point at Kalakadavu located at the eastern tip of Ernakulam district offers for the tired and weary city dwellers.
Echo Point is becoming a favourite place among the tourists, because of the panoramic view that one gets of the lush greenery of the rain forests on the either side of Periyar. The echoes resonating back from the hills are also an added attraction.
Hundreds of nature buffs have been reaching Eco Point during every vacation to savour the pristine beauty of nature and to spend their time shrieking, screaming and enjoying the sound of their voice resonating though the hills.
Located near the famed Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kothamangalam, the place was named Kalakadavu since the main vocation of the people here used to be cattle rearing.
Thousands of cattle once used to be driven in to the forest for grazing by the villagers every day. But now the cattle and the sounds of their hooves have receded into oblivion and the only sounds that reverberates through the scenic spot are the ones made by the numerous tourists who throng the place.
The destination’s proximity to other tourist spots such as Bhoothathakettu, Thattekadu bird sanctuary and Munnar has come to its aid. Though it is emerging as one of the best eco tourist destinations in the state, a lot of infrastructural development projects have to be initiated so as to cater to the swelling numbers of nature buffs, said Valsan, an avid nature buff who resides in the area.
Recently a suspension bridge, the biggest one in the country, was constructed here apart from setting up of a facility for the tourists to bathe in Periyar. If a river view point is set up on the Periyar’s banks along with the resorts, the tourists can explore the wonders of the nature in a more aesthetic way. They can also undertake trekking and nature walks on this picturesque destination if other basic infrastructure facilities are set up in tune with the potential of the spot, he added.
The Echo Point with its beautiful river evergreen forest, clean forest air and mist-clad hills, is a place worth visiting.
“We have written to the tourism department, local legislator and various other department heads seeking funds for developing the tourist spot in tune with others in the area, said Lisy Valsan, president, Keerampara panchayat.